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Baseball bat & gasoline: St Croix man charged with Attempted Murder

The [US] VI Police Department (VIPD) has announced the arrest of Francisco Cruz Santiago on charges of attempted murder, as well as first- and second-degree assault.‌ Photo: VIPD
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI — The [US] VI Police Department (VIPD) has announced the arrest of Francisco Cruz Santiago on charges of attempted murder, as well as first- and second-degree assault.‌

According to the VIPD, officers were dispatched to the Level Up Service Station at about 8:30 Friday morning, in response to reports of someone making threats with a baseball bat. Responding officers met Santiago still holding the bat. Speaking to the complainant, police learned that the two men had gotten into an argument over a chair.‌

At one point in the verbal dispute, Santiago reportedly filled a water bottle with gasoline, which he used to douse his opponent. He then allegedly used a lighter in an attempt to set the man alight, but failing that, he placed the complainant into a chokehold, cutting off his air supply until the other man lost consciousness, the VIPD said.

A bystander reportedly eventually separated the two, after which the victim regained consciousness. Santiago, now armed with a metal baseball bat, then attempted to strike his opponent with the weapon.

He was ultimately arrested and charged, and remanded to the John Bell Correctional Facility on $100,000 bail, pending his first court appearance.

5 Responses to “Baseball bat & gasoline: St Croix man charged with Attempted Murder”

  • ... (29/05/2024, 16:49) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look at his face the sign of evil
  • Oooohhh (29/05/2024, 17:10) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    He's one handsome dude!!!
  • Greg (29/05/2024, 19:17) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    You can see this man is mental. Put him in a psycho ward, not jail.
  • 11 (30/05/2024, 09:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why the heck is this garbage on the front page.
  • ... (30/05/2024, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    A chair... but at the same time this is St.Croix

    Chances are high you leave and that next guy's friends comes back with a gun & a mask? Unsolved and that a wrap.

    We dont know what the other man said or if any threats were issued.

    If he said anything similar to "he going to go and come back" then I can understand wanting to stand your ground in public rather than end up as an unsolved with no clues to who did it.

    Sad situation the guy looks scared not evil.

    We know around here people love to run their mouth & talk about killing people casually. Iv been in a store and another man issuing threats and its like another day, next man meek & mild. nah...

    And they dont expect to be taken on right then & there. They think they will go home for their weapon & call their people to ambush. Then talk about you snitching if you go to the police meanwhile they calling their boyfriends any sign of trouble.

    Over a chair sounds very unplanned heat of the moment.

    What was the other guy saying? I wouldnt judge him too quick. With how people getting killed left right & centre by gun & no one cares about the men except family, if a person threaten another... it could be better in reality to scuffle with that person in public. Better than allow them the chance to kill him in the shadows if they are talking it.

    I dont know what happen that is my opinion.


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